Great Community Give! Light the Way for the Arts

Support Auditorium Lighting in the Great Community Give

Giving is open through the Great Community Give through April 16 at 4 pm.

The Eastern Mennonite School Auditorium is the heart of our artistic and spiritual life – a place where students shine, creativity thrives, and the community gathers. From musicals and plays to choir concerts and chapel services, this space is where inspiration takes center stage.

Jared Stutzman relies on lighting regularly as part of his role as music and choir director in the upper school.  He uses the space for chapels, gatherings, and a concert hall. He notes how “reliable lighting shows students’ faces while performing and enhances the audience experience.” 

As the theater coordinator and technical director, Mark Gornto has seen the school through multiple theater performances including Wizard of Oz, Fiddler on the Roof, Godspell, Big Fish and originally, Les Miserable.  Gornto recalls, “ When we performed Les Miserable outside during COVID, we rented all the advanced lighting equipment that was available to build an outdoor theater. It was an important moment as we recognized the power of the arts to bring us together. That gave us the opportunity to see what can be done and how lighting can enhance production value.”  Five years later, the theater department continues to offer highly creative and artistic productions and is seeking upgraded equipment to set up the space for future success. 

The Great Community Give Day on April 16, 2025 is specifically focused on financial support for Eastern Mennonite School’s auditorium lightning upgrades.  With your help, we can upgrade the 20-year-old lighting to LED technology that empowers student performers, improve the audience experience, and reduce costs and environmental impact.  This investment benefits every student, audience member, and community group who gathers in this space. Gifts are also welcome for other programs – please make a note in the memo line if your intent is for another project.

Early giving opens Wednesday, April 2. Offline gifts of cash or check must be in the EMS front office by 5 pm April 16. Offline gifts are applied to the overall goal, but not hourly prizes. 

EMS has joined the Great Community Give since 2019. This day of giving is an initiative of The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County for area nonprofit organizations. This event enables anyone around the world to invest in our community and increase the capacity of local nonprofits with a minimum donation is $10. Help us keep the lights shining brightly on creativity, innovation, and community growth! 

Learn more or give online at greatcommunitygive.org/organizations/eastern-mennonite-school